"A City on the Rock"
Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV - "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
One concept the Bible repeatedly teaches is that all believers will encounter trouble in their lives. The real issue, however, is how we respond to these difficulties. Many Bible students are readily familiar with James 1:2-3 which challenges us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
While this is certainly easier said than done, it is truly revolutionary when we actually recognize that every obstacle we face in this life is simply an opportunity to strengthen our faith. This realization leads our hearts and minds to a place of peace as we learn to trust and wait on the provision of our Heavenly Father. Rather than focusing on how terrible a situation is, or worrying about how we are going to get out of it, we can eagerly look forward to the solution that the Father has already promised to provide.
We see this concept in John 16:33 NKJV - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
When we are able to free our mind from worry and fear about the troubles that we are facing, it allows us to instead focus our time and effort on the one task Christ assigned to us all: the great commission. And I believe one of the most powerful ways we can witness to others, is by patiently enduring trouble with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. When others see us persevere through difficulties in this way, they will want to know how we manage to persist through such adversity. And ultimately, that is precisely the goal, for people to look right past us and instead see our Savior.
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV - "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
There has obviously been no shortage of opportunities this year to put these ideas into practice. 2020 has been a source of tremendous uncertainty, heartache, and struggle for nearly everyone worldwide. And as we stand gazing into a future that at times seems like it might be even more tumultuous, I pray that we as a body of believers would be emboldened to shine our light even brighter in response to this ever approaching darkness. I hope and pray that we would not simply build our own house on the firm foundation of scripture, but that we might band together and establish a city on the rock.
Psalm 27:5 NKJV - For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
The original acrylic painting is available for $4000
Also available are high resolution fine art giclée reproduction prints in multiple sizes:
30” x 40” (full size) - $365
24” x 32” - $235
18” x 24” - $160
12” x 16” - $95
9” x 12” - $70
Anyone interested use to the contact page for more details or to make arrangements.
One concept the Bible repeatedly teaches is that all believers will encounter trouble in their lives. The real issue, however, is how we respond to these difficulties. Many Bible students are readily familiar with James 1:2-3 which challenges us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
While this is certainly easier said than done, it is truly revolutionary when we actually recognize that every obstacle we face in this life is simply an opportunity to strengthen our faith. This realization leads our hearts and minds to a place of peace as we learn to trust and wait on the provision of our Heavenly Father. Rather than focusing on how terrible a situation is, or worrying about how we are going to get out of it, we can eagerly look forward to the solution that the Father has already promised to provide.
We see this concept in John 16:33 NKJV - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
When we are able to free our mind from worry and fear about the troubles that we are facing, it allows us to instead focus our time and effort on the one task Christ assigned to us all: the great commission. And I believe one of the most powerful ways we can witness to others, is by patiently enduring trouble with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. When others see us persevere through difficulties in this way, they will want to know how we manage to persist through such adversity. And ultimately, that is precisely the goal, for people to look right past us and instead see our Savior.
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV - "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
There has obviously been no shortage of opportunities this year to put these ideas into practice. 2020 has been a source of tremendous uncertainty, heartache, and struggle for nearly everyone worldwide. And as we stand gazing into a future that at times seems like it might be even more tumultuous, I pray that we as a body of believers would be emboldened to shine our light even brighter in response to this ever approaching darkness. I hope and pray that we would not simply build our own house on the firm foundation of scripture, but that we might band together and establish a city on the rock.
Psalm 27:5 NKJV - For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
The original acrylic painting is available for $4000
Also available are high resolution fine art giclée reproduction prints in multiple sizes:
30” x 40” (full size) - $365
24” x 32” - $235
18” x 24” - $160
12” x 16” - $95
9” x 12” - $70
Anyone interested use to the contact page for more details or to make arrangements.
